Directed by Frank Capra
Screenplay by Robert Riskin, from the story by Richard Connell
Starring Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward Arnold, and Walter Brennan
Frank Capra was inarguably the most successful director in the early years of the Oscars, at least as far as winning awards were concerned. He won Best Director three times,[1] the first man or woman to win three awards total, was nominated for Best Director three other times,[2] and saw two of his films win Best Picture. On top of this he led the propaganda unit of the U.S. Military during World War II, making films in the Why We Fight series, winning an Oscar for Best Feature Documentary for his troubles[3], bringing his career haul to four. But more important than critical acclaim, and the appreciation of his peers, his films tended to be financially successful, which is the only metric Hollywood ever put any stock in. Continue reading